Pathfinder Adventure Path #136: Temple of the Peacock Spirit (Return of the Runelords 4 of 6)

The mysterious cult of the Peacock Spirit has risen in force, and the time is right to strike a decisive blow against the worshipers of this long-forgotten god. According to ancient texts, the cult of the Peacock Spirit was first brought to this world by none other than Runelord Xanderghul himself, and with his return, it only grows more dangerous. Nestled high in a remote valley in the daunting Kodar Mountains, the cult's stronghold is known as the Temple of the Peacock Spirit. The heroes must journey to this legendary site and confront one of Thassilon's most dangerous threats.

This volume of Pathfinder Adventure Path continues the Return of the Runelords Adventure Path and includes:

"Temple of the Peacock Spirit," a Pathfinder adventure for 11th-level characters, by Jason Keeley.

An examination of the asuras, a race of vengeful fiends born from the mistakes of the gods themselves, by John Compton.

A presentation of several powerful occult rituals created by the runelords of Thassilon, by James Jacobs and Luis Loza.

A bestiary of monsters, including two new and powerful asuras, the lumbering guardians of nature known as basavans, the serpentine monstrosities known as bollas, and the enigmatic and deadly time dimensional, by Dan Cascone, John Compton, Nathan King, and Luis Loza.

Average product rating:

Humbling Pride

In my opinion, this is the best adventure written for this particular adventure path up to this point. When I was beginning to write this, I was trying to think back to the beginning of the book, as I had to read this over a long holiday, and I couldn’t remember what was presented; which is never good, having something be forgettable. All it took was a few flips back through, and a few images, and I remembered how strong, and engaging the opening section was for this adventure. Now, like in the last adventure, it was a place players had been too before, but it brought with it something new, and very different than what we had seen before, making the encounters far more interesting. When players finally move on to the new locations, each is presented in a way that feels organic; the Npcs have goals beyond xp for the heroes, and many of them can be approached, and dealt with without the need for combat. Sure, you’re typical group of adventures will try to roll through everything, but as with the previous adventures, the challenge is also present here, and, if this is even possible, more difficult than before. Not only in the combat, but in traps, hidden treasures, caster checks, and knowledges. What I find even more impressive is that, with little work on the GM’s part, this could easily be run as a stand-alone adventure; if you wanted. My only real complaint is that there is little to no mention of how the NPCs react to the players if certain events had happened (such as a PC carrying the sword of Pride, or one of them looking exactly like Sorshen.) These are very minor things, but still are somewhat noticeable. Overall, excellent adventure, and I cannot wait to see where we go from here.

"An examination of the asuras" article? Alaznist had Yamasoth and the qlippoths in her dungeons, Karzoug was allied with the Denizens of Leng and Sorshen had a fondness for demons, now we finally get to know about Xanderghul's best pals, apparently.

So I got this book and from skimming it seems awesome :D Bestiary section and bonus articles specifically.

So the part I find the funniest is:

You can actually spare Xanderghul increasing amount of possibly surviving runelords to 3. If you deactivate Peacock Shrine and stop him resurrecting, he does actually start begging for his life when he is about to die :D There is something awesome about making the Runelord of Pride swallow his Pride

Unlike Zutha, despite Xanderghul also having Shadow Gear, his equipment is actually listed. Which makes me sad Zutha's gear wasn't listed. That said, his polearm's stats besides it being +3 axiomatic spell storing lucerne hammer isn't in the book, which is sad since cover mentions it being made out of unknown star metal that makes it so it never causes glancing blows(which sounds like to me as if it did always max damage)

In general I get feeling that main reason Zutha's and Xanderghul's unique magic items aren't statted is because players can't loot them anyway <_<

Does anyone know if they plan on listing stats for Sorshen, Zutha, and Xanderghul at their full power? Maybe in the continuing the campaign section in the last adventure path.

Answers:

Spoiler:

Sorshen yes. Xanderghul and Zutha, no. I do have stats for Xanderghul at full power; I needed them to build the simulacrum, but there wasn't room in print to present them and since he never showed up at that power on-screen, no point in presenting them. BUT between the stats for Karzoug (from Rise of the Runelords), Krune (Waking Rune), Belimarius and Alaznist and Sorshen (parts 5 and 6 of Return of the Runelords) an enterprising GM should be able to build up stats for the other two we "skipped".

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. This article was a tough one to research, but I'm pleased with how it turned out. I'd be interested in hearing your and others' impressions of and questions about the article.